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MLS: Where every MAC Hermann Trophy winner from 2010 to 2019 is now

By Daniel Garza

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 15: Jordan Morris #11 of the United States turns and moves with the ball during a game between Canada and USMNT at Exploria Stadium on November 15, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 15: Jordan Morris #11 of the United States turns and moves with the ball during a game between Canada and USMNT at Exploria Stadium on November 15, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 1: Robbie Robinson #19 of Inter Miami in action during the MLS match against Los Angeles FC at the Banc of California Stadium on March 1, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 1-0. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 1: Robbie Robinson #19 of Inter Miami in action during the MLS match against Los Angeles FC at the Banc of California Stadium on March 1, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 1-0. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /

The MAC Hermann Trophy is handed to the best player in college. But where are the past winners now? We chart their carers in MLS and beyond here.

The MAC Hermann Trophy has been given to many of America’s top players throughout its history. Names such as Claudio Reyna, Brad Friedel, and Alexi Lalas have been awarded college soccer’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Many of its winners have gone on to have long careers in professional soccer, and since 2010, the trophy winners have largely gone on to play in Major League Soccer.

Winning the MAC Hermann Trophy all but guarantees a first-round selection in the MLS Draft. The trophy adds a level of expectation and pressure to those players’ respective first seasons with their clubs. It can definitely make or break them.

Since 2010, there have been nine different winners of the trophy and each has taken a different career trajectory following their accomplishment. Here is how each MAC Hermann Trophy winner from 2010 has fared in their careers since winning the award.

CARSON, CA – APRIL 21: Darlington Nagbe #6 of Atlanta United paces the ball on the attack in the first half of the MLS match against the Los Angeles Galaxy at StubHub Center on April 21, 2018, in Carson, California. Atlanta United defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – APRIL 21: Darlington Nagbe #6 of Atlanta United paces the ball on the attack in the first half of the MLS match against the Los Angeles Galaxy at StubHub Center on April 21, 2018, in Carson, California. Atlanta United defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

2010: Darlington Nagbe

A stellar college soccer career at Akron handed Darlington Nagbe the MAC Hermann Trophy following the 2010 season. He helped Akron win the NCAA Championship in 2010 and was later drafted by the Portland Timbers in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.

Nagbe became a key part of the Timbers’ rise to the top of MLS. He would go on to win the 2015 MLS Cup and made over 200 appearances for the club. Other accomplishments with the TImbers included winning Goal of the Year in 2011 and being named to the MLS All-Star roster in 2016.

Following the conclusion of the 2017 season, Nagbe joined Atlanta United. Much like his time with the Timbers, he found plenty of involvement and success with Atlanta. In 2018, he won MLS Cup for the second time. The next season he would claim his first U.S. Open Cup title.

For the national team, Nagbe helped win the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup for the United States. He has made over 20 appearances for the Stars and Stripes with one international goal. Currently, Nagbe is in Columbus. The Columbus Crew acquired the midfielder during the offseason, where he will again be a regular starter in central midfield. Overall, Nagbe has been one of the most successful MAC Hermann Trophy winners since 2010.

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